Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Division of Communications and Public Information (DCPI) communicates UNEP's core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness, influencing attitudes, behavior and decisions related to the local and global environment, and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide (www.unep.org/dcpi/). This post is located in UNEP/DCPI at the Nairobi duty station. Under the guidance of the Director and/or Deputy Director and the Supervision of the Chief of Communication Services Section, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Lead the work of UNEP's Newsdesk as the main hub for news activities and press relations and contribute to the delivery of UNEP's Programme of Work (POW); Develop, supervise the preparation and provide clearance of a diverse range of information and communications products including press releases and speeches for the Executive Director (ED) and Deputy Executive Director (DED) at the international and regional levels; Plan and oversee Outreach and Capacity Building activities for media across UNEP entities; Lead the development and maintenance of the UNEP News Centre online as the premier online tool for dissemination of media and news content pertaining to the environment and sustainable development. 2. Supervise performance and mentor personnel at the Newsdesk unit: Oversee the hiring of world class writers and information officers; Supervise and maintain high-level, results-driven performance and team work through team-building, motivation, discipline, job development, planning; Supervise the day-to-day operations, including the coordination of substantive and administrative activities, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, preparing budget submissions, managing budgets and implementing activities supporting the organization through the PoW; Oversee coordinated team-work among regional and out-posted information officers for the implementation of successful media communications UNEP-wide; Supervise and clear the production and distribution of press materials and activities across division, regional offices and Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) secretariats under the administration of UNEP; Provide input to the performance evaluation of public information officers at regional and out-posted offices; Oversee the management of substantive and administrative activities, developing and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results pertaining to strategic communications and news operations. 3. Take the lead on the development and coordination of strategic communication activities in support of assigned sub-programmes under the Programme of Work: Conceptualize, design and oversee the implementation of strategic communication components in support of assigned sub-programmes under the Programme of Work; Provide advice and expertise to senior management, division directors, chiefs of strategic communication and communication services sections, and public information staff on a range of public communication issues, methods, and approaches; anticipating and resolving communications/public relations issues/problems; Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize the impact of identified communication activities; Create and maintain networks of high level international communications contacts across the media, governmental agencies, international institutions and other groups and organizations in civil society; Represent the organization in important meetings, conferences and events, fulfilling speaking engagements and advocating issues of concern; Evaluate results and impacts of communications activities; Report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the work of UNEP; Oversee media training of senior UNEP officials and provide clearance for interviews and media appearances; Review and provide input to the UNEP internal communications strategy; Provide communication training for UNEP staff and coordinate public engagement; Conduct regular meetings and communication training for RIOs, and organize annual RIO retreats; Perform any other relevant duties assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to contextualize and manage high-profile media events, which directly affect the international standing of UNEP; ability to develop, press releases, media advisory and prepare public information and media related materials ; understanding of global and regional political trends, public attitudes and varied media platforms; ability to develop and implement a media strategic vision and business plan for the direction of the UNEP and environment in the news.

Communication: Highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational) skills, including ability to present sensitive issues/positions; Demonstrated ability in pro-active media relations; Ability to draft speeches, press releases, presentations and other official statements for management; Ability to translate complex technical and policy issues and concepts into practical guidance for staff.

Planning and organizing: Demonstrated planning and organising skills and ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Ability to develop clear goals.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism or International relations or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years work experience in strategic and political communications.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.